John J
Line Up and Wait
Early last spring I began my transitiion to flying planes in the LSA category. My Bride asked me to take her flying when I felt comfortable flying this new class. I had flown the older planes such at the Cub and Champ many years ago but I wanted to fly the new stuff just to see how the new technology and yes different engines were. Well after a good through flight review and check out with Tom my instructor he let me go on my own
I told my bride that I wanted to really work solo for a while to get comfortable with the plane and the engine (Rotax). Well the day came for me to take my bride up. It was just last Wednesday. I checked the weather at least 20 times. Where I fly out of I also check the Marine Weather as well for some of the ASOS locations on various airports do not give winds that are close to the water and they can be quite different in strenght and directon. Well we had a good forcast and it would be smooth.
We got to the airport and my birde first impression of the plane we were scheduled in, was, "It looks qute and fun". The plane was a Tecnan Sierra with a sliding canopy. After our preflight I helped her get in and showed her all of the belts and also to be aware of the stick controls. She had never flown in a plane with a stick before.
As we taxied out I she said the view was so nice and having the canopy open she enjoyed the breaze and smells of the Chesapeake Bay. I told her that the plane will gather speed quickly and the take off will be much shorter than our old plane which was a nice Beech C-33.
With a push of the throttle we were off and yes the take off was quck and clean. My bride said; "Wow what a view of Kent Island and all the marinas" We gently climbed out over the water to stay in the smooth air. I climbed up to just under 2,000 feet so that we could fly in cool air. She told me that it was so quite and smooth. We flew over to the island where we live and I dropped down to a 1,000 feet and she and I just enjoyed the moments of flying low and slow. We then flew up to my childhood farm along the Chester River and I told her that the clock is telling it is time to go back. She said that she did not want to land for the view and the air was so nice. We passed over some circling Turkey Vultures and Ospreys and I slowed down to 65 knots just to enjoy the view a little longer.
Shortly we were in the pattern and we landed with a chirp of the small tires. We put the plane away and as we walked to the car my bride said to me; "It was one of the best flights I have ever had" Then she said "You look 20 years younger when you fly" She then said "When can we go again".
I guess that tells me she likes it alot so we are going again. She then said" We will have to get a plane" I told her that these are too expensive but maybe we will find one someday that will fit our needs. So I am looking to see what we might get. This will be the fun part for there are so many choices from basic to very sophiticated planes with EFIS and MFD's that had more stuff than my old plane. If any one has a sugestion of possible choices that would be great and highly appreciated. Two requirements are that the plane has to be easy to get into and not too noisy.
Thank you for reading and suggestions
John J
I told my bride that I wanted to really work solo for a while to get comfortable with the plane and the engine (Rotax). Well the day came for me to take my bride up. It was just last Wednesday. I checked the weather at least 20 times. Where I fly out of I also check the Marine Weather as well for some of the ASOS locations on various airports do not give winds that are close to the water and they can be quite different in strenght and directon. Well we had a good forcast and it would be smooth.
We got to the airport and my birde first impression of the plane we were scheduled in, was, "It looks qute and fun". The plane was a Tecnan Sierra with a sliding canopy. After our preflight I helped her get in and showed her all of the belts and also to be aware of the stick controls. She had never flown in a plane with a stick before.
As we taxied out I she said the view was so nice and having the canopy open she enjoyed the breaze and smells of the Chesapeake Bay. I told her that the plane will gather speed quickly and the take off will be much shorter than our old plane which was a nice Beech C-33.
With a push of the throttle we were off and yes the take off was quck and clean. My bride said; "Wow what a view of Kent Island and all the marinas" We gently climbed out over the water to stay in the smooth air. I climbed up to just under 2,000 feet so that we could fly in cool air. She told me that it was so quite and smooth. We flew over to the island where we live and I dropped down to a 1,000 feet and she and I just enjoyed the moments of flying low and slow. We then flew up to my childhood farm along the Chester River and I told her that the clock is telling it is time to go back. She said that she did not want to land for the view and the air was so nice. We passed over some circling Turkey Vultures and Ospreys and I slowed down to 65 knots just to enjoy the view a little longer.
Shortly we were in the pattern and we landed with a chirp of the small tires. We put the plane away and as we walked to the car my bride said to me; "It was one of the best flights I have ever had" Then she said "You look 20 years younger when you fly" She then said "When can we go again".
I guess that tells me she likes it alot so we are going again. She then said" We will have to get a plane" I told her that these are too expensive but maybe we will find one someday that will fit our needs. So I am looking to see what we might get. This will be the fun part for there are so many choices from basic to very sophiticated planes with EFIS and MFD's that had more stuff than my old plane. If any one has a sugestion of possible choices that would be great and highly appreciated. Two requirements are that the plane has to be easy to get into and not too noisy.
Thank you for reading and suggestions
John J